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Kenyan businessman and investor John Kibunga Kimani has deepened his presence in Centum Investment Company Plc, adding to his position in one of Nairobi’s best-known investment firms. His stake now stands at 11.06 percent, worth about $8.2 million at current market prices, making him one of the company’s largest individual shareholders.
Kimani boosts Centum stake to $8.2 million
According to regulatory filings, Kimani bought an additional 9.07 million shares in August, equivalent to a 1.36 percent interest in Centum. That raised his holdings from 64.53 million shares at the end of 2024 to 73.6 million shares. The move underscores his growing confidence in a firm that continues to trade below book value on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
At the latest price of Ksh14.8 ($0.115), Centum boasts a market cap of Ksh9.62 billion ($74.4 million). Kimani’s stake is valued at Ksh1.064 billion ($8.2 million). He trails the estate of the late billionaire Chris Kirubi and the state-owned Kenya Development Corporation among the company’s biggest shareholders, cementing his place as a key figure in Centum’s investor base.
Centum sells Sidian stake for $8 million
His investment comes at a time when Centum is reshaping its portfolio. In one of its most recent transactions, the company sold a 14.63 percent stake in Sidian Bank to Ugandan lawyer and businessman William Byaruhanga for Ksh1.03 billion ($8 million). The deal marked the latest in a series of changes at Sidian, whose ownership has shifted repeatedly in the past three years.
Centum had earlier attempted to sell its entire 83.4 percent stake in Sidian to Nigeria’s Access Bank in 2022, but that deal fell through after conditions were not met. Since then, its shareholding has been diluted by rights issues, leaving it with less than 13 percent in the lender.
From humble start to corporate influence
John Kimani has built his wealth through investments that have expanded his presence in Kenya’s corporate sector. His latest move, increasing his stake in Centum Investment Company, adds to a portfolio that underscores his position as one of the country’s leading investors.
Kimani’s holdings extend beyond Centum. He owns 34.54 percent of Kakuzi Plc, one of Kenya’s largest agribusiness firms, and 3.86 percent of Nation Media Group, the region’s biggest publishing and broadcasting company. He also holds 27.7 million shares in Safaricom, East Africa’s largest telecom operator.
